How to do canal locks like a Boss!

(Location: Farmers Bridge Flight, Central Birmingham, England)
There are many wrong ways to operate a lock, and there is a right way...
In commercial carrying days, boatmen were paid by the ton, so the sooner they arrived the sooner they got their money. Because the life of a boatman isn't a sedentary pursuit, you need to work efficiently and safely with which comes speed.
Here we have three boats, two powered 'motor' boats go on ahead, each helping the other, and in turn help the 'butty'. When single handing it's important to ensure you are in the right place at the right time, and to ensure you have positive access to your boat, however at times you can take a minor risk, as we see here when the second boat on a particularly short pound lets the boat find its own way in.
Originally a horse boat, the butty would have been pulled by a horse. Even when pair boating with motors started in earnest in the 1920's the motor would go up on it's own, and a company horse used. However this service was stopped by the end of carrying, so enthusiasts now how to provide the motive power themselves.
It is very important to ensure the boat goes smoothly up the lock, and keeping a check on the boat is important. The motor boats have fenders on the delicate rudders, but the butty boat must keep the 'elum (a boatmans corruption of Helm) away from the lock gates. The tiller is pushed over to give a little extra room, and a line is tied to the gates to stop the paddles pushing the boat backwards.
The technique used by the Fullers is one which uses 'running blocks' along the top of the boat, and a t-stud on the cabin top with which to lock the line off on. This was in common use on the Grand Union, where the motor steerer could just drop a line on the dolly and allow the butty steerer to control the snatch.
Filmed by Michael Askin in September 2011.
music by audionautix.com

[@philippechanez4764]

MAGNIFIQUE ! Quelle belle journée et Merci pour le partage.

[@aliasdeputydog]

The number of times I have operated those locks, solo, years ago this brings back happy memories of canal living and working and how the surroundings have changed its unbelievable.

[@mememadore3174]

Do you not live on a boat anymore? What made you decide to stop?

[@yvonnekey194]

Now that is teamwork.

[@keithmclean4283]

Did the 4 counties ring some years ago on a narrow boat with 6 others. Best holiday ever! This brings back memories. Oh, to do it again. Maybe the Cheshire ring?

[@RoadartamFluss]

great footage

[@ericironman69]

I like your style. Cool video

[@andreyburdykov2294]

SUCCESS !!! Perfect .....

[@OldHiker]

a thing of beauty...

[@rainsynth]

"like a boss" you mean you hired someone to do the work, like bosses do

[@johnmilonas6158]

Was lucky to live stern quarters steam tug Eppleton Hall while working SF Martime Museum. Fitted out well.

[@johnswimcat]

It does help if you have crew but this is impressive

[@trueblue2124]

think the girl could have held the rope for the bloke on tiller - -love the older boats tho - and the sound is so cool - - thank you mykakskin !

[@CraigusUK]

Wow This guy really knows how to pull the birds 😊

[@mykaskin]

More that the birds know how to pull the boat! :)

[@EezeeListen]

So many "you're not doing this right" comments. Why? These boaters are keeping old traditions alive and their skill is good to see.

[@wotintheworld]

I think its those that use the waterways abd have issues with the lock doors being damaged.

[@lknanml]

Relaxing music. What is it called?

[@sharpfang]

Is that a windlass in your trousers or are you just happy to see me?

[@craigkaschan4822]

Would love to live on a long boat would be amazing. We don’t have canals here. I envy you guys. Greetings from Australia 🇦🇺

[@spencerwilton5831]

Craig Kaschan Long boats are for vikings. You mean a narrowboat.

[@craigkaschan4822]

Spencer Wilton Yes a narrow boat thanks for the correction

[@1258-Eckhart]

@@craigkaschan4822 *narrowboat

[@anpu8504]

These Sounds.... :D~~~~~~~***

[@nerfdude956]

Is this the farmers bridge locks in Birmingham?

[@grahamball364]

Looks like he’s done that before 👌

[@nlo114]

It's great when you get a clean run at the flight. All it needs to bring it to a crawl is a weekend-hire boat with a several captains in front of you.

[@natehill8069]

What the solo narrowboater needs is a radio control for their boat.

[@romakayak]

Now try going up Foncerannes staircase solo, I do it often.

[@Ryan_Harkin]

I'm going to give myself a heart attack with all the adrenaline my body is producing from watching extreme locking.

[@dickvanaggelen7937]

Music: Yoko O not her again.

[@RobertThz]

Are there no anti-vandal locks on the paddles?

[@mykaskin]

The loss of water on short pounds isn't much of a problem, but there isn't any on the top paddles either, so go figure. Obviously not a big issue.

[@napoleonibonaparte7198]

We’re living in 2018 But this man is living in 1601

[@mykaskin]

Well closer to 1901 actually = Ilford (the horse boat) was built in 1912, Ibex in 1926, and Tench in 1936

[@thetessellater9163]

Didn't pay attention in History then? There were no canals in 1601, bar a couple of short ones built by the Romans in Britain.

[@ilovewood79]

Nice video. Very peaceful. I just would not like to have the exhaust pipe in front of my face.

[@lknanml]

6:30 I've got the boat. You just watch my butt. Yep. Still watching this one now and again. Wow. 2 years. Still working on getting over there.

[@kaiserzozzet6248]

you are the best ,,,, women ... working,,,,,jajajajaja

[@scottfw7169]

A phrase comes to mind, "They've got that down to a science."

[@ade9685]

Yep bossed it no doubt about it..

[@davidphillips2259]

And you all sleep in that little area on the boat can I come lol

[@PINASVideosforEveryJuan]

What is the purpose of that? Please explain. Thank you!

[@mykaskin]

They are moving their boats from one place to another. As it happens they are enthusiasts who try to keep traditional methods and skills alive (as well as historic boats) by performing them when they go boating.

[@danishiqbal7047]

please correct it admin . its not just locking . One side of water level is higher.than the other side so for prevenring flow of water to lower aide that happen ,this will also help boats to move irrespective water flow

[@danishiqbal7047]

See panama canal

[@torenicolaifjelldal]

(Locks, River and canal stairs for boats)

[@chrisgrayston1982]

Silly locker! Sorry couldn't help it!

[@craigsingleton6103]

Fortunately one doesn't need to be a boss solo locking a7ft wide single gate. If only all the locks were like that, got to lower the chance of something going wrong i imagine tho im no expert , personally i find locks to be the most likely place to have a serious problem in a very short time, usually caused by a distraction, also very common at locks. Having had more than my share of near disasters im not the most sociable boater whilst in a lock. Beware newbies i hope someone can learn from my and other mistakes. Happy safe cruising to u all.

[@trueblue2124]

Think the girls forgot the horse !

[@ThePorridgeGobbler]

In principle it works but all I see are people cutting corners and causing long term damage to the locks. CRT should have more control over these practices

[@stevencotton7516]

Must be on holiday

[@francisjackson8254]

It's 1am on a Saturday night and I'm here watching this.... What went wrong with my life 😶

[@mykaskin]

Francis jackson... you haven't got a historic boat? :)

[@francisjackson8254]

@@mykaskin I ain't got any kind of boat 😁 I once googled prices of long boats. I'm guessing that is why this is in my suggested videos 🤔

[@larrymbs]

It's 1am Tuesday for me. I have no idea

[@kernowrock555]

as long as you'r e drinking wine or ale...its ok haha

[@Dodgersmi]

😂😂🤣🤣 it's 3.45am here Sunday I am doing the same thing but how nice the paint work is on the boat and 3 females doing the barge

[@ISAIFISHING]

Do you actually living in the boat?

[@Herboutwest]

Wow locks are a pain in the ass

[@johnharrington2831]

It was a great video ....TILL..... the noise started and no engine sounds anymore !

[@Mahalo_83]

Given they were pulling the boat with a rope I doubt there were any engine sounds to hear anyway.

[@ahbeckgmail]

Hmm. Seem to be missing a trick not using the blocking hooks to make pulling the boat out of the lock easier. Nice horse though!

[@mykaskin]

I'm not sure there are any on this flight, but agreed on the second part! :)

[@jbbarnett6116]

Whats the point of the locks

[@mykaskin]

Locks allow boats to go up and down hills. The water needs to be contained between levels otherwise it will flow away.

[@pinkyman5155]

I would love to see him close the lock gates on the river Lea, every one takes about 4 people built like brick shithouses.

[@mykaskin]

That’s the nice thing about narrow locks - so much easier, but I used to sell coal from my boat on the Lee and they aren’t all that bad..

[@terenfro1975]

The second boat have something wrong with it? Just wondering why they had hired mules.

[@mykaskin]

The last boat was built as a horse boat, and while the motor boats can tow it on the longer pounds when dealing with this many locks its quicker to bow haul the butty up.

[@noventistadoseculo3072]

Is it norway ?

[@mykaskin]

Close - Birmingham, England! :)

[@yourmumisacrumpet4882]

Trending

[@charlesreynolds7608]

do yall know what carbon monoxide is

[@mykaskin]

Thats the reason the exhausts push upwards, so that it doesn't gather in the locks, but it's rarely an issue as there is plenty of ventilation.

[@davidoickle1778]

Ooooh, careful with that windless.

[@trueblue2124]

Thats what I call a narrow boat!

[@1258-Eckhart]

*narrowboat

[@marklewis4793]

you should keep a camera to point at tourists who poke theirs at you,..can't be much fun being regarded as a curio.

[@MrPhiphy]

What are they doing and why? I mean, what's the purpose of doing that? Please someone explain to me!

[@fins59]

It's called narrowboating ffs.

[@mikefule330]

Canals are artificial waterways and sometimes their route takes them up or down a hill. A lock is a short section of canal between two gates. The gates have "paddles" covering holes. The paddles can be lifted to open the holes letting water into or out of the lock. If you put the boat in the lock and then let water in, the boat floats up to the same level as the canal above the lock. If you put the boat in the lock and let the water out, the boat goes down until it is at the same level as the water below the lock. When the hill is big, there are often several locks in a row. It's a way of using a simple mechanism (a gate and a ratchet) to raise or lower several tonnes of boat by letting the water do most of the work. A skilled person or crew can do it all with very little effort using the engine and tiller, but manoeuvring at low speed is tricky. A less skilled or confident crew ends up pulling the boat about with ropes and making very hard work of what should be a simple job. You can travel for man miles without a lock, or you may end up doing 15 locks in a row, depending on where you are on the canal network.

[@lukedaniel7669]

@@mikefule330 should probably point out one of the boats here doesn't have an engine, and there is pulling on ropes and pulling on ropes!

[@kevingray3550]

Is that a lock key down the front of your pants or are you just pleased to see me?

[@1258-Eckhart]

*trousers

[@nokithecat]

The Dutch must preserve their heritage and country They have fought WW1 & WW2 to save Holland Don't loose everything to the invaders that want to replace you! Save your birthright, you owe it to your ancestors to survive

[@mykaskin]

I agree, but this is England...

[@tried2851]

.......Not the England I new and loved, sadly the new change is to rapid for me

[@MrSam4850]

Kitty Cat dafuq are you on about?

[@moslimislam5714]

I live in the Netherlands. Who are the invaders you were talking about?

[@moslimislam5714]

But.... I thought I was one of you now. I was born here! :(

[@martyspargur5281]

If they were causing any damage i didn't see it. 7:20: Turn Towards Trouble (to get away from the wall). I'd be in heaven if i were locked up with Ilford.

[@ogreunderbridge5204]

Why choose between having a woman or a horse, if one can be both :))

[@peterrussell9473]

"There are many wrong ways to operate a lock, and there is a right way..." But is this the right way: well sort of.. could be a bit better.

[@wolfheathenoverwatch87]

Did I just see you push that paddle open with your boat? That's a big no-no.

[@MrDorbel]

The paddle is the sluice that admits water to the lock. It is the gate that he is pushing open and done steadily like this with a working boat, it is not a problem.

[@lauriestlyon8773]

There is so much wrong with how this was done! I am only going to hit the highlights! You NEVER tie your boat to ANYTHING but a bollard! Your either damage the fitting or, given the general state of maintenance, rip it off! If like me you run single handed then after setting the lock you approach slowly the side that gives you best egress from the boat to the lock. As you come level with the steps add some reverse power to slow you to a just above stopping. You then step off taking your mid rope and lock key with you. You can then trot up the steps, if going up the lock, clearing the rope over the gate and simply loop it around the first bollard to slow to a gentle stop. Then tie off the rope to the next one to stop it being pushed back. You should NEVER deliberately use your boat to open a gate or allow it to hit one. Misjudgements happen but the cost of gate repairs is rediculous! The system is suffering from years of neglect as it is. Don't make the situation worse! As I only have myself to captain AND bottle wash ( my Jack Russell Terrorist is too small to operate the locks! 😁) I often 'rope in' AND out. Especially given the risk of slipping on a wet lock ladder or jumping to the top of the boat. Mine is covered with stuff! Again I set the boat moving and as she clears the gate I can pull then push it closed trot down the steps with the mid rope and hop on! The days of commercial carrying were also the days of regular maintenance. To day there is no excuse for practices that further damage the infrastructure!

[@finnplanb3]

i was thinking this too! no need for it really

[@MrDorbel]

I agree with much of what you say, but taking a line to the upright of the handrail to stop the butty being washed back is not a problem. The actual strain is negligible and these handrails look strong and new. The butty doesn't have a midline like a motorboat and in any case, the bollards are often either missing or badly positioned. Butty rudders are easily damaged by hitting the bottom gates, unlike the motor which can stand it. Sensible to hitch on as low as possible on the upright of course. Going down Grand Union locks, a working pair would loop lines around the hand rails, so that going in reverse would open the gates. The rails were actually shaped for this purpose, so that it would appear to have had official sanction and that the rails are strong enough.

[@YellowPinkie]

I for one like to see locks being dealt with as they were designed to be. The infrastructure is in place for this type of respectful treatment. You couldn't and shouldn't do this on a shorter or underpowered pleasure boat.

[@lukedaniel7669]

A big difference between hitting a gate and nestling the bows up to it. If the boat is in contact with the gate and in forward tickover it opes the gate just as gently as someone on the end of the beam.

[@pauly7166]

Breathing all that smoke in when steering has gotta be very very bad for you:(

[@GoldenRoot2011]

It isn't very good for ya but smells so good :-)

[@wigancyclist8913]

Probably not as bad as daily commuting on motorways or living beside a main road?

[@stuartcole3759]

None of that winding the paddles up half way shit

[@labarone8910]

My goodness! There seems to be a great deal of saltiness in the comments, probably from elderly know-it-alls who just discovered the British canal system a few short years ago and are now experts. This guy has forgotten more about narrow boats than they'll ever know, and it's people like him that keep the canals operating, not some self important old duffer with a satellite dish and a bucket of roses on the roof.

[@silkyjones2626]

Working too hard. Three should slay locka with organization.

[@DieselRamcharger]

What we have learned here today is it takes 2 women to do the job of 1 man, only not as well.

[@MrDorbel]

The boat they are hauling doesn't have an engine, the motor boat the man is steering does. Traditional for the man to steer the motor and the woman haul the butty when locking!

[@jwatkins5155]

How to do locks like a boss, twats back of boat with lock gate, pushed lock gate open with boat, nah this is bad

[@tysondundas1947]

You forgot to mention ropping the boat to the gate hand rails......

[@cazw179]

The noise and fumes are horrendous! 😷🙉

[@huh2634]

Idk what you're talking about, it sounds nice

[@qwertyTRiG]

You keep the windlass down your pants?

[@mykaskin]

Or Belt, or on the shoulder under a jacket. Keeps hands free so it's safer.

[@qwertyTRiG]

@@mykaskin Fair enough. Reasonable once you put it that way.

[@hootowl6354]

All those words and no mention of where it is.

[@mykaskin]

Farmer's Bridge flight, in Birmingham.

[@mykaskin]

@pmailkeey No - I did add it to the description after they asked. I'm afraid I know the network so well I forget others don't always know where things are!

[@michaelb2388]

I don't think there's anything special here. It's just working locks.. I take a windebeam through double locks of my own. It's probably harder than what they're doing

[@lukedaniel7669]

It's working locks well, not just working locks. An important difference. Anyone can get a boat through a lock given enough time, but to do it both efficiently and safely takes skill.

[@EternalBlade]

Grat example of women working harder and not smarter.

[@jobicek]

It's a bit harder without an engine (that last boat doesn't have any). ;-) As they no longer keep horses at locks, you need some human power to get through.

[@EternalBlade]

Thank you for proving my point.

[@mjallenuk]

You think you can say something that stupid and get away with it? Those women are working hard and smart. Dumb and working locks will leave you injured or dead in a very short space of time. Don't be intimidated by them you too could be smart and work hard. Or you could continue being a muppet on YT... the choice is yours.

[@EternalBlade]

Awwwww poor Matt got triggered by the truth. Don't worry lady you'll be fine. I love how you assume I know nothing about locks and have never operated them. Says all you need to know about you.

[@jaapvanengelenburg3636]

Darth Yeti v

[@atw212]

owh shit are you crazy? it's very troublesome

[@henningklaveness7082]

I expected something special with a title like that. He sure knows what he's doing, but these weren't very challenging conditions. There was no display of mad line tossing skills, no brilliant boat handling to counter the effects of wind and current, no ingenious warping arrangements... IMHO, the humdrum everyday life on the big continental canals is a much more impressive display of skill.

[@mykaskin]

Well of course this is just one set of locks. Admittedly there is less line handling in narrow locks as its not needed, but there are many other rope techniques and having to throw lines is an important part of pair boating. There are weir streams and unloaded boats are subject to windage issues as well.

[@lukedaniel7669]

The impressive skill is in the quiet efficiency of working the boats through both quickly and safely.

[@waitersluvhjy66]

Go to WoodPrix page if you want to learn how to build it yourself

[@harrynew340]

A typical know all with no brain , the method is fine , excellent in fact but the lack of bow fenders and no line to control boat hitting lock sill with destructive force is downright irresponsible for some so experienced

[@BodhisatvaLee]

Not a good idea to leave your boat.

[@techscrew2]

Looks boring slow and tedious